Back-to-basics fertilizer workshops set for mid-February
Aimed at providing a sound foundation for understanding fertility in crops, several workshops will soon be held in east Arkansas’ Marianna (Feb. 14 at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station) and Jonesboro (Feb. 15 on the campus of Arkansas State University).
NRCS solicits grant proposals for water quality credits
Farmers could actually “sell” their water conservation work to the highest bidder if a viable market for water quality credit trading is set up. Seeking to set up such a market, the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is soliciting project ideas until a March 2 deadline.
For success with food plots: Location, soil tests, planting
What advice does Mississippi wildlife biologist Steve Payne have for those considering putting in a food plot? “When you’re choosing a food plot, the prime concern is the same as with real estate: location, location, location. You want the area with the best soil.
Wildlife food plots, forage beans… and ragweed
Eager to see healthy wildlife and happy hunting camps, wildlife biologist Steve Payne has all sorts of ideas about food plots. A long-time advocate of forage soybeans, over the last decade the north Mississippian has expanded his seed and variety offerings.
Agriculture sector unhappy with trade agency merger proposal
In a bid to shrink government, the White House has proposed merging the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Small Business Administration, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and Development Agency, and several functions of the Commerce Department into a yet-to-be-named new agency.
Several agricultural and commodity organizations have come out against the proposal.
GE salmon focus of Senate hearing
A recent Senate hearing placed a spotlight on the regulatory tangle surrounding the approval process for genetically-engineered salmon. Potentially the country’s first GE animal for human consumption, the salmon have raised a host of worries among critics.
$308 million more in disaster assistance to 33 states
In the aftermath of a string of natural disasters during the 2011 cropping season, the USDA has announced $308 million will be provided in aid to 33 states and Puerto Rico. The funds will come in addition to crop insurance and disaster payments previously promised under SURE and the Livestock Indemnity Program.
Fungicide-resistant Rhizoctonia solani found in Louisiana
A suspected mutation of the Rhizoctonia solani fungus has been found to be resistant to strobilurin fungicides. So far, the soil-borne fungus – which causes sheath blight in rice and aerial blight in soybeans – is only in a small area of southern Louisiana.
USDA to close 259 offices, facilities and labs
Facing a shrinking budget, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has outlined moves – including the closure of 259 offices, facilities and labs under the USDA umbrella – to save some $150 million annually.
MF Global bankruptcy watchdog provides update
On Tuesday morning, following four congressional hearings and busy court sessions, John Roe revisited the swirl of MF Global happenings, where things currently stand in Congress and the courts, and speculated on the actions of the firm’s leadership.
